Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, and Security

Kahane Chai (Kach)

Kahane Chai's (Kach) stated goal is to restore the biblical state
of Israel. Kach (founded by radical Israeli-American rabbi Meir Kahane)
and its offshoot Kahane Chai, which means "Kahane Lives"
(founded by Meir Kahane's son Binyamin following his
father's assassination in the United States), were declared to be
terrorist organizations in March 1994, by the Israeli Cabinet under the
1948 Terrorism Law. This followed the groups' statements in support
of Dr. Baruch Goldstein's attack in February 1994 on the
al-Ibrahimi mosque. Goldstein was affiliated with Kach and their verbal
attacks on the Israeli government. Palestinian gunmen killed Binyamin
Kahane and his wife in a drive-by shooting in December 2000 in the West
Bank.

Kach organizes protests against the Israeli government, harasses and
threatens Palestinians in Hebron and the West Bank. Members have
threatened to attack Arabs, Palestinians, and Israeli government
officials. Additionally, Kach members have vowed revenge for the death of
Binyamin Kahane and his wife.

The size of Kach is unknown. They operate in Israel and West Bank
settlements, particularly Qiryat Arba' in Hebron, and the group
receives support from sympathizers mostly in the United States and Europe.